Hand dying yarn...wool...Koolaide

[willowmom]

Hi friends,

Long time no chat. I started my own business and havne't had time to knit much :-(

Well, the holidays are coming, so I bought a bunch of yarn from KnitPicks. I bought several skeins of that dye your own wool ($2.99), and I have visions of dying my own and doing some felting projects. But, in the grand tradition of leaping before I looked, I bought the yard having no idea what I'm doing. I know that people use Koolaide as an easy and fun dye, and I think I'll try that. But here are my questions:

1) Do I die the yarn first, or felt the finished product first?

and...evern more importantly,

2) Can I felt a Koolaide died garment??!!!!

I guess I should have looked into this before submitting my order, but I have faith something will work out.

What other type of dyes can be used (non-toxic and in the kitchen).

Glad to be knitting again!
Kathie

[Julie]

Here are some instructions:
http://www.gaea-creations.com/koolaid.html

and here's another color chart: http://www.thepiper.com/fiberart/koo...rchart-max.jpg

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to felt a k-a dyed piece...

[Pixywhispers]

http://www.reenieart.com/dyeing.htm

Also has a great tutorial.

[rebecca]

I've dyed the same yarn with Koolaid, it really accepts it well. I only did it once and ordered several more hanks to dye some more, but am using the yarn for other projects...lol! I hope to do a lot of dyeing after the 1st of the year...I like the dyeing with the progression of color from light to dark.
Sorry, know nothing about the felting...although, I'm sure it would felt well.

[rebecca]

I take that back!! It does felt well. I remember that I used a very small piece that had been dyed with koolaid for some decoration on a booga bag and it felted nicely.